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Another broken promise? * UPDATED x2 *

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Illinois

* Earlier today, I told you that Senate Democrats were promised before the recall vote that tens of millions of dollars were being released by the governor for several agricultural programs, including 4-H…

“The Senate president (Emil Jones of Chicago) came on the floor today and told us we could go ahead and start making notification of our soil and water districts and extension offices,” Demuzio said.

Sen. Demuzio voted “No” on the recall proposal today.

* And, now, we get this from the AP…

State agriculture agencies on Thursday hoped to receive at least some of the $36 million in operating funds tied up in a state budget standoff, after being told an agreement had been reached between legislators and the governor.

But Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who started the impasse and must agree to release any of the money, so far isn’t confirming anything. His silence left some people skeptical that the money was on its way. […]

Some state Senate Democrats told those agencies, after a few dozen employees had been laid off, that a deal had been brokered to release the money.

‘’I asked him if he could released the ag funds and get that taken care of,'’ Senate President Emil Jones, a Chicago Democrat, said Thursday, adding that the governor agreed to release at least some of the money, less than $20 million.

But as of Thursday afternoon, the governor hadn’t said anything publicly about the money. Calls and e-mails to his office by The Associated Press were not beeg for some definitive word from the governor’s office that had not yet come.

It was just like this in the early years of the Blagojevich administration: No return calls from press staff.

Hey, maybe this wasn’t another Blagojevich double-cross, but it would be nice if the governor’s press people would at least tell reporters off the record that a statement was forthcoming.

*** UPDATE 1 *** The governor didn’t come out to speak to reporters this afternoon (big surprise, I know), so nobody could ask him about this story.

*** UPDATE 2 *** The governor’s office waited until long after the AP ran the story to get back to them…

Governor Rod Blagojevich has now agreed to release millions of dollars in state money he had been withholding from agriculture agencies.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said today that the governor agreed to release the money after state senators complained about layoffs at the University of Illinois Extension Service and, among other things, the effect on 4-H youth programs.

Senators complained before the recall vote, the governor agreed to release the money, the recall proposal died. At least he kept his word.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 4:31 pm

Comments

I figured there would be a deal to be made on the money for the extension programs, their importance outside of the collar counties cross political lines….
Is it too much of a coincidence that the money was said to be there and the recall magically failed????

Comment by 618er Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 4:43 pm
No coincidence.

Comment by Truth Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 4:55 pm
ooohh
Or maybe he actually has to find the cook county extension office and find anyone to stand in front of it with him for the press release

Comment by 618er Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 4:57 pm
And the Senate Dems are surprised…the naiveness is just breathtaking. Maybe the governor’s staff is having a hard time coaxing him out of his hiding place to make the decision.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 5:01 pm
Unthinkable that he would backstab his Senators after they stuck their necks out for him — right?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 5:03 pm
“….. but it would be nice if the governor’s press people would at least tell reporters off the record that a statement was forthcoming.”

Would you believe it if his press people told you - they lie just as well or even better than he does.

Comment by anon A Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 5:09 pm
Is anyone suprised by any of this garbage coming out of the governor’s office. I’d rather believe in the tooth fairy. As for the senate Dems….they are just lapdogs…pityful..simpy pityful.

Comment by embarassed to be a democrat. Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 6:00 pm
How does Abby SAYING the governor will release $20 million for 4-H and UofI extension services mean that he has kept his word? The money has NOT been released. Abby only says it will be. Big difference. I’m skeptical. We’ll see if, when, and how much money will be released. POA’s word isn’t worth jack squat and I hope DeMuzio and other senators who fell for this will have a lot of explaining to do to their constituents. Talk about the fit hitting the shan.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 7:10 pm
Until this baffoon of of a Govenor is impeached or indicted this kind of tom foolery and waste of tax dollars will continue. Somone in the House needs to step up to the plate, sprout a pair and get this thing going NOW. IMPEACH this clown PLEASE!!!!!

Comment by Dan S, a Voter & Cubs Fan Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 8:32 pm
We, the citizens of Illinois, WILL give the Governor a raise. We Will give Jones one too, sooner than they will release those dollars. And to think, we are in an election year.

Comment by 33rd Ward Faithful Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 8:39 pm
Mama always said “stupid is as stupid does”.

Comment by Dan S, a Voter & Cubs Fan Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 9:05 pm
Senators Sullivan and Demuzio cave in so trhey can tell their farmer/voters they saved their (short-term) programs? Worst logic I’ve heard in awhile. But, of course, they both sold their souls to the devil a long time ago. Sleep well.

Comment by Frustrated Democrat Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 9:34 pm
Senator Demuzio, shame on you. And I used to have respect for you. Now you’re just like all the rest. It’s no wonder Emil Jones is so brazen. Our senators are a sorry bunch.

Comment by Disgusted Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 10:53 pm
As for Emil, Ricky Hendren, and the other “leaders”…..the Capitol Blax Fog.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 2, 08 @ 4:45 am
President Jones is right. Our hard working, honest, dedicated legislators and constitutional officers deserve a raise. While they may misbehave at times and have their fun, like with all of this recall nonsense, in the end, most of them do what they believe to be in the best interests of the state and the citizens in their districts. They are overworked and underpaid. We all them owe them a great debt and should support their pay raise.

Comment by Bill Friday, May 2, 08 @ 6:47 am
Bill, LSD is illegal. That is the only thing that could make any sense out of your post above.

Comment by Dan S, a Voter & Cubs Fan Friday, May 2, 08 @ 7:02 am
Has no one coined this yet? The senate dems who voted against recall are the blagocrats, tied to the chicago machine of emil and co. and of course to the sinking ship that is our governor. How long will the blagocrats keep up their allegiance to their namesake? Even though impeachment and recall dance around Blago, he still has some big reins that he can tug on to keep the blagocrats in line, i.e., the monies that are supposed to be going to the Illinois Ag Extension Services. Times like these separate legislators from the politicians, the former being the ones who want to truly represent the people and their interests.

Comment by Gentlemen, behold! Friday, May 2, 08 @ 9:01 am